Phlebotomy is the technical term for opening up a vein and removing blood. At this point, you may begin to get really nervous at the anticipation of the needle. Your pulse and blood pressure may begin to rise as your heart beats faster. Let me just say, the best thing you can do is relax because building up that additional pressure isn't good.

Your arm will now be swabbed with a large amount of iodine to disinfect the skin and your blood donation bag will be hung on a hook beneath you. The technician will instruct you to hold a fist and that you will feel a sharp pinching as the needle goes in. If you're really squeamish about needles or blood, don't look as the needle is being inserted; it will be over before you know it and you'll just end up psyching yourself out.

Once the needle is in place, the technician will tape the donation tube to your arm, so that it doesn't move around and cause pain, and will also place a gauze over the needle so you don't have to look at it. I'd like to say the needle never hurts but I have had a few instances when the person doing the sticking was either really new at it or just bad at it because it hurt, like a burning. The technician will then instruct you to squeeze your fist every five seconds to keep the flow going. Just sit back and relax; remember to breathe.